Saira Gutierrez

Saira Gutierrez became a GOJoven Fellow at age 24 when she worked for seven years as a teacher and vice principal at a primary school in Bella Vista, a poor English-speaking village created 10 years ago to house Central American immigrants working on the banana plantations. Under Saira’s direction, school staff provided workshops on sexual and reproductive health to students for the first time ever. Saira is also a leader in the Bella Vista Catholic youth group, which provides workshops on sexual and reproductive health and HIV prevention, in collaboration with the local health center. She is a role model and informal counselor to the youth in her community, who face many health and development challenges. Saira presently works as principal of Fabian Cayetano Roman Catholic School, which is located in a low income Mayan community in Toledo District and in her free time she spends time with the youth of San Isisdro and Bladen Village. Saira is currently pursuing a Certificate in Education at the University of Belize.